Just a month into my new role at OFE and I am reminded of how short autumn is in Brussels. After the lull of August, September is full of buzz and promise, and then sometime by mid-October it’s time to start worrying about achieving anything before the place starts to slow down for Christmas.So, with November already upon us, I wanted to provide an overview of the topics that are keeping us busy ... [Continue Reading]

Former FFII President, erstwhile OFE collaborator, and personal friend, Pieter Hintjens, passed away last month at the age of 53. Pieter was a programmer, an influential thinker, and a prolific writer who inspired many. While we did not always agree, I always appreciated the intelligence and passion he brought to everything he did. He will be much missed.Born: 3 December 1962, CongoDied: 4 October ... [Continue Reading]

Today OFE published a position paper containing recommendations to the European Commission in the context of the public consultation on online platforms. OFE also submitted a response to the online questionnaire opened by the Commission.OFE's multiple recommendations centre around some basic principles that we believe all new proposed measures should follow:They should be proportional and based on ... [Continue Reading]

The UK is currently reviewing its legal framework governing the use and oversight of investigatory powers by law enforcement and intelligence agencies (see the proposed text of the draft Bill here). The text of this proposed new legislation is meant to update the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) which dates back all the way to 2000 (see here), so it would seem relatively sensible for ... [Continue Reading]

Today the European Parliament adopted new rules to end mobile roaming charges and safeguard open Internet access. This marks the final step in a two-years process that started under the previous Commission. Throughout that process OFE has been advocating for the adoption of a framework that would guarantee the respect of the net neutrality principle, whereby all Internet traffic should be treated ... [Continue Reading]